Machine for cutting out calibrated pieces of food products

ABSTRACT

A machine for cutting a food product into dice-like sections that includes a two piece enclosure containing a chamber passing axially through said enclosure that is shaped to complement the cross-section of the food product. The two pieces of the enclosure can be opened to permit the product to be loaded into the chamber. A pusher rod is arranged to move through the chamber to drive the product through perpendicularly positioned cutting grids which cut the product into strips. A slicer is positioned adjacent the cutting grid for cutting the strips into dice like sections.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to the technical field of farm-produce machinesfor the continuous production of calibrated pieces, for example in dicedform.

Machines designed, in particular, for processing pieces of meat areknown, these being equipped with means for cutting them along aplurality of vertical and horizontal planes in order to obtain pieces ofreduced thickness. In general, these machines use a cutting systememploying a first grid composed of plurality of vertical blades and asecond juxtaposed grid composed of a plurality of horizontal blades. Arotary blade arranged laterally makes a cut in an orthogonal plane inrelation to these grids in order to form calibrated pieces. This stateof the art may be illustrated, as a non-limiting indication, by theteaching of the patent FR 2,651,167, of which the applicant of thepresent document is likewise the proprietor.

Essentially, the machine described in this patent comprises a chamber orenclosure delimiting a closed volume intended for receiving the productto be sliced. One of the ends of the enclosure cooperates with a pushermember in order to ensure that the product is displaced linearly in thedirection of the cutting system which is shaped so as to produce thecalibrated dice or pieces of meat. The food product to be processed mayhave various shapes at the outset.

For example, this product may consist of a slice of meat of greater orlesser thickness. In this case, the enclosure delimits a volumecorresponding very substantially to that of the slice, a presser membermaking it possible to adjust the volume of the enclosure as a functionof the thickness of the slice.

Or else the product may consist of a block of meat or the likedelimiting a large volume which is usually of parallelepipedic shape.Consequently, the enclosure of the machine delimits a volume of generalparallelepipedic shape, making it possible to carry out the centeringand guidance of the product to be cut under the conditions mentionedabove. It is, indeed, very important that the product in the form of ablock can be constantly guided and centered during its displacement inthe direction of the cutting and preslicing systems in order to obtaincalibrated pieces having a suitable appearance, which, at the same time,are prevented from being shredded in the region of the cutting blades.In view of the parallelepipedic shape of the block of meat or the liketo be processed, this centering and guidance in the enclosure do notpresent any particular problem.

By contrast, this enclosure can receive only a very specific type ofproduct which, in any event, must have a parallelepipedic or generallyparallelepipedic overall volume. It is therefore not possible for a foodproduct in the form of a block delimiting a different volume, inparticular cylindrical, to be processed under good conditions.Increasingly, then, food products are either in the form of aparallelepipedic block or in the form of a cylindrical block.

In the light of this, it seemed important to have the possibility ofprocessing any type of block of meat or the like on the same machine,for the purpose of obtaining perfectly calibrated cut pieces under verygood conditions. In particular, it was necessary to solve the problempresented by the constant guidance and centering of the product when thelatter is not parallelepipedic, but has a general cylindrical shape.

The problem which the invention proposes to solve, therefore, is to havethe possibility of processing, on the same machine, a food product whichdelimits a general volume of any shape, the aim being to obtainperfectly calibrated cut pieces, whatever this shape may be.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In order to solve this problem, a machine was designed and developed ofthe type which, in a known way, comprises:

a chamber or enclosure, in which the product to be processed isarranged;

at least one jack equipped with a pusher member for leading the productin the direction of a system of cutting grids which are capable ofmaking a plurality of cuts along two orthogonal planes;

a slicing blade arranged in front of the system of grids in order tocause the product to be cut into calibrated pieces during itsdisplacement through the said grids.

According to the invention, proceeding from this type of machine andbearing in mind the set problem to be solved, the chamber has means forthe removable mounting of shaping elements of defined shape anddimensions in order to delimit an internal volume corresponding to theexternal volume of the product to be cut, for the purpose of centeringit perfectly in the said internal volume thus produced, the cuttinggrids being mounted in a support delimiting a shape corresponding tothat of the internal volume produced, the said shape being arrangedcoaxially to the said volume.

In order to solve the set problem of having the possibility of modifyingthe volume of the chamber, as desired, as a function of the volume ofthe product to be processed, the means for mounting the shaping elementsconsist of at least one profiled slide which part of the chamberpossesses, the said slide cooperating with a complementary slot whichpart of the shaping elements possesses.

Advantageously, the shaping elements either delimit a circular crosssection or delimit a quadrangular (square, rectangular, etc.) crosssection.

In order to solve the set problem of the interchangeability of theshaping elements, on the one hand, and of the loading of the processingchamber, on the other hand, the shaping elements are in twointerlockable parts, one being fixed, while the other is movable, at thesame time having arrangements for coupling to part of a member forfilling and closing the chamber.

The fixed part has a squared-off rim, in the thickness of which isformed the coupling slot which is open-ended in order to cooperate bysliding with the slide of the chamber, the said fixed part having alength corresponding substantially to that of the chamber.

The movable part is arranged laterally in relation to the fixed part.

In order to solve the set problem of ensuring the constant centering andguidance of the product when it is subjected to the action of thecutting grids, the supports of the said grids are removably mounted incoaxial alignment with the open-ended orifice of the chamber receivingthe shaping elements, in such a way that the shape formed by the gridsis arranged in continuity with the shape of the internal volumedelimited by the said shaping elements.

Advantageously, still with the aim of having constant guidance andcentering of the product during its displacement in the chamber as afunction of the volume of the said product, the pusher member has ashape corresponding to that of the internal volume delimited by theshaping elements, the said member having arrangements for coupling tothe rod of the jack.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention is described in more detail below by means of theaccompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic plane view of an exemplary embodiment of themachine;

FIG. 2 is a view in longitudinal section along the line 2--2 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view prior to the interlocking of the componentparts of the shaping element with regard to a product of generalcylindrical volume;

FIG. 4 is a view, corresponding to that of FIG. 3, after theinterlocking of the component parts of the shaping element;

FIG. 5 is a view, similar to that of FIG. 3, with regard to a product ofgeneral parallelepipedic volume;

FIG. 6 is a view, corresponding to that of FIG. 5, after theinterlocking of the component parts of the shaping element;

FIG. 7 is a front view of a support of cutting grids with regard to acircular shape;

FIG. 8 is a view, similar to that of FIG. 7, with regard to aquadrangular shape;

FIG. 9 is a view in cross section in line with the shaping elementreceiving a product of general cylindrical shape;

FIG. 10 is a view, similar to that of FIG. 9, with regard to a productof general quadrangular shape.

In order better to understand the rest of the description, it may besaid that the machine has a supporting frame (B) equipped with a chamberor enclosure (E) intended for receiving the food product to be processed(P). The enclosure (E) delimits a closed volume of generalparallelepipedic shape. A pusher member (1) is mounted, with acapability of sliding, inside the enclosure (E), at the same time beingfastened, for example, to a double-acting jack (V). The jack (V) isarranged at the rear of the chamber and coaxially to the latter.Opposite the jack (V), the enclosure (E) is open-ended in order to be incommunication with a system of cutting grids (3) and (4) and of a rotarycutting blade (5). The grids (3) and (4) are juxtaposed, the grid (3)having, for example, a plurality of vertical blades (3a), whilst thegrid (4) has a plurality of horizontal blades (4a). A motor member, notillustrated, cooperates with the support (3b, 4b) of each of the gridsin order to subject the corresponding blades to an alternatingdisplacement movement in translational motion.

The displacement of the product (P) through the grids (3) and (4) underthe effect of the thrust of the jack (V) gives rise, in combination withthe action of the rotary blade (5), to the cutting of the product (P)into a plurality of calibrated pieces. The product (P) is positioned inthe enclosure (E) by means of a loading member (6) arranged laterally inrelation to the enclosure (E). The loading member (6) is coupled to anymechanical, pneumatic or such like means in order to be displacedlinearly in the direction of the enclosure (E).

According to a characteristic on which the invention is based, thechamber or enclosure (E) has means for the removable mounting of shapingelements which are designated as a whole by (C) and the shapes anddimensions of which are defined so as to delimit an internal volume (V1)corresponding to the external volume (V2) of the product (P) to be cut.Advantageously, each shaping element (C) is made in two profiledinterlockable parts (7) and (8) in order, in combination, to delimit thedesired volume (V1).

The part (7) is fixed and has arrangements for temporary coupling to thechamber (E). For example, the part (7) has a squared-off rim (7a), inthe thickness of which is formed an open-ended slot (7b) having a crosssection in the form of an upturned T. This slot (7b) cooperates bysliding with a rib of complementary shape (9) which the chamber (E), inparticular the upper face of the latter, possesses. The squared-off rim(7a) is extended by a lateral edge (7c) cooperating by a bearing contactwith the corresponding lateral edge of the chamber (E).

The part (8) is movable and is shaped so as to be interlocked incombination with the fixed part (7). In particular, the part (8)cooperates with the squared-off rim (7a) and the lateral edge (7c).Moreover, this part (8) has, over its entire length, a recess (8a) whichis intended, in combination with a complementary recess (7d) of thefixed part (7), to form the internal volume (V1) corresponding to theproduct to be processed.

In the example of FIGS. 3 and 4, after the parts (7) and (8) have beeninterlocked, the recesses (7d) and (8a) delimit an internal volume ofgeneral circular shape. The movable part (8) has coupling arrangements(8b) capable of cooperating with complementary arrangements which theloader (6) possesses. For example, the external lateral edge of the part(8) has a centering shape delimiting two vertical end slots (8b1), so asto be engaged on corresponding parts (6a) of the loader (6).

When the shaping element is to delimit an internal volume (V1) ofquadrangular cross section, it is sufficient to adapt the parts (7) and(8) accordingly. In this case, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the lateraledge (7c) has a straight plane internal face (7e), whilst the part (8)simply has a straight vertical bearing face (8c). The dimensions of therecesses (7d) and (8a), or else the thickness of the parts (7e) and(8c), are, of course, defined as a function of the dimensions of thedesired volume (V1).

After the parts (7) and (8), whatever form they take, have beeninterlocked, the shaping element thus formed has external dimensions(length, width and depth) which correspond to those of the chamber (E).

According to another characteristic of the invention, the supports (3b)and (4b) of the cutting grids have a facial orifice, through which thesaid grids emerge, the said orifice having a shape corresponding to thecross section of the internal volume in question (V1), that is to say tothe external volume of the product to be processed. With regard to avolume (V1) of circular cross section, each of the supports (3b) and(4b) delimits a central orifice (3b1, 4b1), through which the vertical(3a) or horizontal (4a) blades pass and which has a general circularshape (FIG. 7). As regards a volume (V1) of quadrangular (square,rectangular, etc.) cross section, each of the supports (3b) and (4b)delimits a central orifice (3b1) and (4b1) of corresponding shape(square, rectangular, etc.) (see FIG. 8).

The supports (3b) and (4b) are removably mounted independently incoaxial alignment with the open-ended orifice of the chamber (E)receiving the parts (7) and (8) of the corresponding shaping element.For example, these supports (3b) and (4b) are mounted on centering andguiding studs formed on either side of the open-ended orifice of thechamber. The result of this is that, after the supports (3b) and (4b)have been mounted next to one another on the centering studs, theircorresponding orifices (3b1) and (4b1), through which the blades emerge,are arranged strictly in coaxial alignment and in continuity with theshape of the internal volume (V1).

In view of these arrangements, there is therefore no interruption in theregion of the internal volume (V1) and of the cutting grids, so that theproduct is constantly guided and centered, including in the region ofaction of the various cutting blades.

Still with the aim of ensuring constant centering of the product insidethe volume (V1) produced by the interlocking of the parts (7) and (8) ofthe shaping element in question, the pusher member (1) has a shapecorresponding to that of the said volume (V1). This pusher membertherefore has a general circular or quadrangular shape. Under theseconditions, this pusher member (1) is coupled removably in relation tothe jack (V), for example by means of a rod (1a) shaped so as to beforce-fitted into a corresponding bore formed at the end of the rod ofthe jack (V).

In view of these design arrangements, therefore, it becomes clear thatit is possible to process any type of product, whatever the generalshape of its external volume, by means of a single machine which, at theoutset, has a chamber or enclosure (E) of general quadrangular shape. Itis sufficient, for this purpose, to equip the chamber (E) with acorresponding shaping element. The part (7a) of the shaping element inquestion is coupled in the region of the rib (9) of the enclosure,whilst the loader (6) is equipped with the other corresponding part (8)of the shaping element. A new chamber is thus obtained, the internalvolume (V1) of which corresponds very accurately to the external volumeof the product (P) to be processed. The systems of cutting grids (3) and(4) are adapted accordingly.

The shaping elements, in particular the parts (7) and (8), are made frommolded plastic of the food-compatible type. The various means forcontrolling the members of the machine with regard, particularly, to thepusher jack, the loader and the cutting, are not described in detail,since they do not form part of the specific subject of the invention andmay have various embodiments known perfectly well to an average personskilled in the art.

The advantages become clear from the description. In particular, thefollowing are emphasized and recalled:

the ease with which the volume of the chamber intended for receiving thefood product to be processed is changed in order to adapt it veryaccurately to the external volume of the product in question;

the constant guidance and centering of the product, particularly in theregion of the cutting system, during its continuous displacement;

the simplicity of execution.

I claim:
 1. A machine for cutting a food product into desired parts that includesan enclosure means having two shaping elements that coact to define an internal chamber corresponding to the shape of a product to be cut, said chamber passing through said enclosure axially between a front opening and a rear opening; a mounting means for supporting the enclosure means; a jack means equipped with a pusher that is arranged to pass into said front opening of the chamber and move toward said rear opening to drive a product in said chamber through said rear opening; a system of cutting grids mounted adjacent to said rear opening for making a plurality of orthogonal cuts in said product passing through said rear opening; and slicing means positioned adjacent to said cutting grids for cutting said product passing through said cutting grids into parts.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said mounting means further includes a slide means for slidably supporting at least one of said coacting shaping elements.
 3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein one of said shaping elements has a slot that is slidably received in said mounting means.
 4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said chamber has a circular cross-section.
 5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said chamber has a polygonal cross-section.
 6. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said shaping elements include two interlocking elements that are separatably mounted in said mounting means to move between an open and a closed position wherein a food product can be placed in said chamber when the shaping elements are in said open position.
 7. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein one of said shaping elements is slidably attached to said mounting means and the other shaping element is arranged to open laterally with regard to said one shaping element.
 8. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said cutting grids are removably mounted adjacent to the rear opening of the chamber.
 9. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said shaping elements are made of food compatible plastic.
 10. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the pusher has a shape that complements the cross sectional shape of said chamber. 